Tech has Three Regional Qualifiers in First Meet of Outdoor Season

March 21, 2009

RUSTON--The Louisiana Tech track and field team kicked off the outdoor season this weekend at the Dr Pepper Invitational hosted by Baylor University at the Hart-Patterson Track and Field Complex in Waco, Texas.

"We're real excited to finally get the outdoor season underway," said head coach Gary Stanley. "We had three of our athletes make regional qualifying marks which is good for our first meet and now we're ready to come home and host our own meet, The Jim Mize Invitational."

Louisiana Tech had three athletes make regional qualifying marks in their respective events in Larry Jones, Justin Martin and Nadia Alexander.

Jones, out of Ruston High School, had regional qualifying marks in both the javelin (204' 03") and the discus (170' 10") in which he won both events. Martin, out of Cedar Creek High School in Ruston, had a regional qualifying mark of 202' 01" in the javelin while finishing third in the event.

Senior Nadia Alexander won the shot put for the women with a throw of 50' 3.50", which is a regional qualifying mark.

Other top finishers for Louisiana Tech include, Monique Wright who finished third in the women's 200 with a time of 25.38 seconds.

Antoinette Cobb also finished third in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.33.

Sophomore Quatisha Williams took home a third place finish of her own in the long jump along with the Techster's 4X440 yard relay team who also placed third.

For the Bulldogs, in addition to Jones and Martin, Jonathan Roque finished second in the high jump with a jump of 6' 4.75" and sophomore hurdler Billy Walker finished third in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 54.49 seconds.

The Louisiana Tech track and field team returns to action next weekend as they host the Jim Mize Invitational here in Ruston at the brand new Jim Mize Track and Field Complex next to Joe Aillet Stadium. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday March 28.